Boris Tishchenko. Cello Concerto No 1. New instrumentation

Boris Tishchenko. Cello Concerto No 1. New instrumentation

Op. SO

Both of Boris Tishchenko’s cello concertos, one of Shostakovich’s most famous pupils, were composed in the 1960s (in 1963 and 1969, respectively).

It was Rostropovich who gave Tishchenko the assignment to write Concerto No. 1 for solo cello, 17 wind instruments, percussion and harmonium. The composer called the concerto “an illegitimate child” because the assignment was not part of the graduate student curriculum.

Despite the success of the first performances of the concerto, mainly due to the participation of
the outstanding cellists and conductors, Shostakovich’s attitude towards it remained contradictory.
On the one hand, the composer’s immense interest is shown by the statement “I know Tishchenko’s First Cello Concerto by heart”. On the other, however, Shostakovich’s letters to Tishchenko shed light on his criticism of the orchestration of the concerto.
Shostakovich’s doubts had to do with the peculiarities of the concerto’s orchestration.

The score of the concerto was published in 1968. Mstislav Rostropovich edited the solo part.
The composer’s arrangement of the Concerto for Cello and Piano was published in 1971.

Shostakovich’s enthusiasm over his pupil’s concerto, as well as his concern about its fate prompted his desire to re-orchestrate it. This work was completed no later than 15 May 1969. On that day he sent Boris Tishchenko the score as a gift for his 30th birthday.